Sports

Marietta: Pioneers start 2012 off right

Hustle and determination are two things that the Marietta Menʼs Basketball team does not lack, especially not on the afternoon of Jan. 7. Marietta took on the Heidelberg Student Princes at 3 p.m on Saturday. With a final score of 99-78, Heidelberg could not keep up with the athleticism of the Pioneers.

Jacob Owens, a junior from Mansfield, could not be stopped from the three-point line. He had two three pointers in a row during the first quarter, which started his momentum. He finished 7-8 at the three point line. He was the leading scorer for the pioneers finishing with 21 points.

Next in line was Tyler Hammond, finishing 2-2 in the three point range. The sophomore finished with 11 points and four assists. Since the entire team has only three seniors on it, Tyler has had to step up and accept his role as a key leader for the Pioneers. After sickness got to a few strong players, Hammond really had to take charge. Even after having mono, he was ready to step back into his role as point guard and be a motivator for his teammates.

“We always play together as a team,” Hammond said.

The Pioneers lost a couple games without Hammond in the picture, his presence is crucial to their success.

“Thatʼs just old sickness of 2011, itʼs a whole new year so thatʼs what we are trying to work with, we have a good mindset, we fuel our body right, and thatʼs what we need to do,” Hammond said.

Heidelberg had their hands fuel with Mariettaʼs athleticism. Despite their loss, they had players that put up a strong fight and battled the Pioneers to the end. Dane Givner, had 21 points, five rebounds, and five assists.

The Student Princes just got beat on the boards. Marietta had 37 rebounds and they came from almost everyone who got time on the floor. Itʼs safe to say Marietta is a force to be reckoned with and it will be interesting and fun to watch their progression.